God ‘testing Moral Fibre Of The People’ (Press, 10 July 1986)

The passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill by the New Zealand Parliament on 9 July 1986 has elicited strong reactions from various groups and individuals across the country, with a division of opinions marking the discourse surrounding the legislation. The bill was passed by a narrow margin of 49 votes to 44. Mr George McGirr, president of Concerned Christians, expressed disapproval, asserting that the outcome tested the moral fibre of the nation. He had previously placed an advertisement in a Wellington newspaper calling on Christians to fast and pray for divine guidance regarding the bill. Following the outcome, he interpreted the vote as a revelation of God's will and encouraged Christians to become more politically active and vocal. He planned to mobilise voters against any MPs who supported the bill, declaring that while they accept Parliament's decision now, they would not accept it during the upcoming general election. Conversely, Mr Andrew Carstairs, co-ordinator of the Christchurch Gay Task Force, praised the bill's passage, claiming it justified the extensive lobbying efforts made by his community. He stated that this move aligned New Zealand with most Western nations and asserted that the crux of the debate was not about moral beliefs but about legal regulations. Carstairs noted that the age of consent had been established at 16, arguing there was no valid justification for differentiating between the ages of consent for homosexual and heterosexual acts. Opponents of the bill also included Mr Barry Reed, national spokesman for the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, who condemned the reform. He described homosexuality as medically detrimental and morally unacceptable, asserting that the legislation was a betrayal of public sentiment, especially in light of a petition against the bill submitted the previous year. He also raised concerns over the potential implications for public health, suggesting that legalising sodomy might lead to increased rates of AIDS among young people. Reed implied that the support from female MPs for the bill was a disappointment to women everywhere, and he predicted significant political repercussions for the Government in future elections due to this divisive issue. Furthermore, the Most Rev. Denis Hanrahan, Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, expressed his belief that the age of consent should not be set as low as 16, which he felt was too young for both genders. He cautioned against conflating legal changes with moral acceptability. The Rt Rev. Maurice Goodall, Bishop of Christchurch, refrained from commenting. Overall, the discussion and emotional responses following the passage of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill reveal the significant societal divisions and debates concerning morality, legality, and public health in New Zealand during this period.

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